Automatic musical instrument.



No. 727,906. I I PATBNTED MAY 12, 1903.

O. COLEMAN.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLIOATION FILED 131:0.21, 1899.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented May 12, 1903.

PATENT O EIcEQ CLYDE COLEMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE B. FRENCH, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, AND FRANK L. HALL, OF YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 727,906, dated May 12, 1903.

Application filed December 21, 1899. Serial No. 741,203. (No model.)

[ LL whom 2125 may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLYDE COLEMAN, a all izen of the United States, residingat Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatically-Operating Musical Instruments; and I do hereby-declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification. I

The present invention relates to thatclass of automaticallyoperating musical instruments in which the intensity and volume of the different musical notes are individually varied and controlled, an example of which forms the subject-matter of my prior application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 689,237, filed August 22, 1898.

The object of the present improvement is to provide a simple and. efficient pneumatically-actuated mechanism capable of producing a wide range of intensity in the different musical notes in a permntative or composite manner, all as will hereinafter more fully appear and be more particularly pointed out in the claims. I attain such object by the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevavation illustrating the present invention as applied to a piano or like stringed instrument; Fig. 2, a fragmentary plan View of a single-note-producing mechanism of the present invention; Fig. 3, afragmentary sectional elevation of a modification.

Similar numerals of reference indicate-like parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the 40 perforated music-sheet or other equivalent device by the movement of which the playing of the musical instrument is performed in an automatic manner, as usual in the present class of automatically-operating musical 5 instruments; 2, the'usual longitudinally-extending and transversely-rounded bearingbar, over which slides the perforated musicsheet 1, the respective rows of perforations,

in which music-sheet are adapted. to register with their respective air ducts or passages 3, formed in the bearing-bar, as usual in the present type of musical instruments, the construction being such that the inlet months or ports of such ducts are closed by the musicsheet except when a perforation therein registers with one of said ducts.

4 is the main suction-trunk, in which the desired degree of vacuum or exhaust is maintained and which hasindividual pipe connecti ons'5 with the air-ducts 3 of the bearing-bar 2 and individual pipe connections 6 with the suction or exhaust bellows 7 of the note-producing mechanisms of the apparatus.

The first part of the present invention involves, broadly, an individual-note-producing means comprising a multiple arrangement of the air ducts or paths for the motive fluid, each duct orpath composing such multiple having a difierent area or capacity and a particular formation of the note-sheet or other equivalent device, as hereinafter described, by means of which each air duct or path is separately and independently controlled so as to be capable of producing an effect different from that produced by the other air ducts or paths of the multiple above mentionechand as a result afford a note-producing, mechanism in which a varied intensity is obtained in a composite or perm utative manner by a simultaneous action of two or more of such ducts or paths to attain annitary result on the note-producing mechanism.

The note-producing mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings as illustrative of one type of the present invention comprises an arrangement of parts or elements as follows: 5 is a series of three air ducts or pipes extending from a corresponding series of inlet-openings 8 in the bearing-bar 2 of the music-sheet 1 to the main exhaust-trunk 4. 6 is a corresponding series of air ducts or pipes extending from the hammer-bellows 7 to the main exhaust-trunk 4t.

7 is the motor-pneumatic bellows for operatpass 11, so as to put the bellows in communi- V cation with such exhaust-trunk or with the atmosphere, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. 12 is a series of engine-cylinders communicating with the series of air-ducts 5 in an individual manner and having pistons 13 operatively connected to the valves 10, so as to impart an upward movement to said valves against a normal downward tendency of the same due to the action of the springs 14 or other equivalent means.

In the practical construction of the present apparatus the series of air-ducts 5 and 6 may be made from tubes of the required and varied diameters. Preference is,however,given to the construction shown in the drawings, in which all the tubes are of a like diameter, and their area is reduced to the required degree by constrictions 15 and 16 in said pipes, as clearly indicated in Fig. 1.

With a construction and arrangement as above described and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with an individual perforation in the musicsheet in register with an inlet-orifice in the bearing-bar 2, air will be admitted into one or more of the air-ducts 5, and by relieving the vacuum in one or more of the engine-cylinders 12 will permit the spring or springs 14 to draw the engine-pistons down and operate the piston valve or valves 10 to open comm unication between the main exhaust-trunk and hammer-bellows 7 to cause the same to have an active movement and by means of its hammer 8 produce the desired musical note by impact upon the note-producing string 9. With a closure of such inlet orifice or orifices in the bearing-bar 2 by the music-sheet a vacuum is again established in the engine cylinder or cylinders 12 to draw the pistons 13 in an upward direction against the tendency of the springs 14 and in so doing move the valves 10 into a position to cut 0E communication between the exhaust trnnk t and the bellows 7 and put said bellows in communication with the atmosphere by means of 5 the by-pass 11.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings I illustrate a series of three air-ducts 5 6 and a corresponding series of valves 10 with a view to exemplify the range of control in the intensity of the note produced which is afforded by the present invention, in that with such arrangement three distinct primary tones can be produced by the operation singly of the three air-ducts and valves and four composite tones by the different combinations of such primary tones. Such combinations are as follows: 1+2, 1+3, 2+ 3, and 1+2+3.

In the above connection the series of airducts 5 will be of different capacity or area, attained usually by varying constrictions of the parts 16 of the branches 6 of said-ducts, and will, owing to their varying capacity, admit of a more powerful actuation of the pneumatic mechanism 7 8, which operates the noteproducing string in accordance with the relative increased capacity of the different constrictions 16 in the ducts composing the series, and this whether they be used singly or in a permutative manner, as above set forth.

While in the drawings I have only shown a series of three air-ducts 5 and 6 as composing the multiple ducts of an individual-noteproducing mechanism, it is within the province of this part of the present invention to decrease such number to two or to increase the number to the required extent to meet the range of expression desired by the construction.

The presentpneumaticsystem ofproducing varied intensities in musical notes in a composite or permutative manner is adapted for use in connection with any type of musical instrument capable of operation by pneumatic means, andwhile, for the sake of illustration, I have shown my invention as applied tov a stringed musical instrument it is within the province of the present invention to modify the construction and arrangement of parts heretofore described to such other types of automatic musical instruments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The music-sheet 1, employed to automatically operate the mechanism of the present invention, will be of substantially the same construction as that described in my former application Serial No. 689,237, and, as fragmentarily shown in Fig. 2, will be preferably divided into parallel spaces each equal to the width of the series of inlet-orifices in the supporting-bar 2, individual to a single note, and such spaces may be again subdivided into small squares, as shown, for the guidance and convenience of the composer in the proper and relative formation of the series of perforations in the music-sheet.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the supporting-bar 2 and music-sheet 1 will have the same construction and arrangement as that described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. The difference from such former construction involves the following modified arrangement of parts: 7 is a hammer-operating bellows, held closed or in a dormant condition by vacuum, its active movement to deliver a blow of the hammer 8 upon the note-producing spring 9 being effected by a spring 17. In such construction a series of air-ducts 18, having varied areas, as heretofore described in connection with the series of air-ducts 5 and 6, will connect with the main exhausttrunk 4, with the individual inlet-openings in the supporting-bar 2, and with the bellows 7, the action of such modifiedarrangement being substantially the same as that described in connection with the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The main difference between the two forms is that in the present form or modification a variable retardation in the admission of air into the bellows 7 to vary the degree of impact of the hammer 8' takes place, either in a direct or permutative manner,

Whereas in the main form, as heretofore described, the exhaust or vacuum upon the bellows 7 is retarded in a like manner.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments the combination of a series of air-ducts representing different pneumatic intensities and individual to a single note, means for automatically controlling said ducts in a composite or permutative manner, and means actuated through the instrumentality of said ducts to produce a musical note, substantially as set forth.

2. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments the combination of a' series of air-ducts representing different pneumatic intensities and formed by a series of varied constrictions in said ducts,such series of ducts being individual to a single note, means for automatically controlling said ducts in a com- ;posite or permutative manner, and means actuated through the instrumentality of said ducts to produce a musical note substantially as set forth.

3. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments the combination of a series of air-ducts representing different pneumatic intensities and individual to a single note, a series of individual automatic valves controlling said ducts, and means actuated through the instrumentality of said valves and ducts to produce a musical note, substantially as set forth.

4. 'In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments the combination of a series of air-ducts representing different pneumatic intensities and formed by a series of varied constrictions in said (1 ucts,such series of ducts being individual to a single note, a series of individual automatic valves arranged in said ducts, and means actuated through the instrumentality of said valves to produce a musical note, substantially as set forth.

5. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments the combination of a perforated music-sheet, a bearing-bar formed with a series of air-ducts, a seriesof air-ducts rep-' resenting different pneumatic intensities and individual to a single note, means for automatically controlling said ducts in a composite or permutative manner, and means actuated through the instrumentality of said ducts to produce a musical note, substantially as set forth.

6. In apneu matic'action forautomatic musicalinstruments the combination of a perforated music-sheet, a bearing-bar formed with a series of air-ducts, a series of air-ducts representing different pneumatic intensities and formed by a series of varied constrictions in said ducts, such series of ducts being individual to a single note, means for automatically controlling said ducts in a composite or permutative manner, and means actuated through the instrumentality of said ducts to v produce a musical note, substantially as set forth.

7. In a pneu matic-action for automatic muindividual to a single note, a series of indi-- vidual automatic valves controlling said ducts, and means actuated through the instru mentality of said valves to produce a musical note, substantially as set forth.

8. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments, the combination of a perforated music-sheet, a bearing-bar formed with a series of air-ducts, a series of-air-ducts representing diiferent pneumatic intensities and formed by a series of varied constrictions in said ducts, such series of ducts being individual to a single note, a series of individual automatic valves arranged in said ducts, and means actuated through the instrumentality of said valves to produce a musical note, substantially as set forth.

9. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments, the combination of a series of air-ducts representing different pneumatic intensities and individual to a single note,

means for automatically controlling said ducts in a composite or permutative manner,

a bellows common to the series of ducts, a

hammer carried by said bellows, and a noteproducing string, substantially as set forth.

10. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments, the combination ofa series of air-ducts representing different pneuarranged in said ducts, a bellows common to.

the series of ducts, a hammer carried by said bellows and a note-producing string,substantially as set forth.

12. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments, the combination of a series of air-ducts representing different pneumatic intensities and formed by a series of varied constrictions in said duct-s, such series of ducts being individual to a single note, a series of individual automatic valves arranged in said ducts, a bellows common to the series of ducts, a hammer carried by said bellows, and a note-producing string, substantially as set forth.

13. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments, the combination of a perforated music-sheet, a bearing-bar formed with a series of air-ducts, a series of air-ducts representing difierent pneumatic intensities and individual to a single note, means for antomatically controlling said ducts in a composite or permutative manner, a bellows common to the series of ducts, a hammer carried by said bellows, and a note-producing string, substantially as set forth.

14. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments, the combination of a perforated music-sheet, a bearing-bar formed with a series of air-ducts, a series of air-ducts representing different pneumatic intensities and formed by a series of varied constrictions in said ducts, such series of ductspbeing individual to a single note, means for automatically controlling said ducts in a composite or permutative manner, a bellows common to the series of ducts, a hammer carried by said bellows and a note-producing string, substantially as set forth.

15. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments, the combination of a perforated music-sheet, a bearing-bar formed with a series of air-ducts, a series of air-ducts representing different pneumatic intensities and individual to a single note, a series ofindividual automatic valves arranged in said ducts, a bellows common to the series of ducts, a hammer carried by said bellows, anda noteproducing string, substantially as set forth.

16. In a pneumatic-action for automatic musical instruments, the combination of a perforated music-sheet, a bearing=bar formed with a series of air-ducts, a series of air-ducts representing different pneumatic intensities and formed by a series of varied constrictions in said ducts, such series of ducts being individual to a single note, a series of individnal' automatic valves arranged in said ducts, a bellows common to the series of ducts, a

' hammer carried by said bellows, and a noteproducing string, substantially as set forth.

17. In an attachment for playing a piano or similar musical instrument, a striking device corresponding to each note, a pneumatic-motor operating to impart a variable force of stroke to the striking device, and a tracker'-' board having a plurality of channels for each striking device connecting separately with the pneumatic-motor, and means operated by pneumatic-pressure controlled through the tracker-board channels to increase the intensity of the stroke in proportion to the number of tracker-board channels uncovered at the same instant by the note-sheet.

18. In a piano-playing attachment a striking device for each note of the instrument, a tracker-board having a plurality of channels comprising a separate group to each note, means connected to each striking device and adapted to regulate the intensity of its action, and pneumatically-operated means corresponding in number with the channels in the group belonging to the note, and adapted to modify and control the regulating means in degree of action according to the particular channel or channels uncovered by the note-sheet.

19. The combination with a striker, of a pneumatic mechanism for actuating said striker, by causing a change of air-pressure in said striker-actuating mechanism, means for producing such change of air-pressure in said pneumatic mechanism and additional means for producing a greater change of airpressure in that said pneumatic mechanism, to which said additional means pertain, and in no other pneumatic striker-actuating mechanism connected in any way therewith.

20. The combination with a striker for musical instruments, of a pneumatic mechanism for operating the striker, two ducts and two independent valve mechanisms, pertaining to said striker-operating mechanism only, each valve mechanism being operated by the wind from one of said ducts.

In testimony whereof witness my hand this 6th day of September, 1899.

CLYDE COLEMAN.

In presence of- ROBERT BURNS, M. H. HOLMES. 

